How a Domestic Violence Charge Can Affect Your Future

Arguments and altercations are not uncommon between spouses, family members, and roommates, but when arguments escalate into threats, intimidation, and physical violence, an angry moment can have lifelong adverse implications.

A domestic violence conviction has permanent consequences that extend beyond fines, jail time, and protection orders, potentially impacting many aspects of your life going forward. Before agreeing to a plea deal or choosing to represent yourself against a domestic violence charge, it’s critical to understand how a guilty plea or conviction for domestic violence affects your future.

A Domestic Violence Conviction Impacts Your Living Arrangement

The most immediate impact of a domestic violence conviction, beyond the possibility of a jail sentence, is the impact on where you live. If you’ve been residing with the accuser, a judge will typically bar your entry into the home. You may not be allowed within a specific distance of your accuser under an order of protection against you.

Furthermore, it may be challenging to find a new place to live. Most reputable rental property and apartment building owners do not rent to those with a criminal conviction, including one for domestic violence.

The Effect of a Domestic Violence Conviction On Your Work

A domestic violence conviction becomes a permanent part of your criminal record, available to all potential employers who perform a simple, routine background check. If you are seeking a new position, it’s possible that your potential employer will deny your application. A criminal record of domestic violence prohibits you from occupying any position working with children or vulnerable adults.

If you are currently employed, it is possible that a domestic violence charge could prevent a promotion or cause you to lose your job, especially if the work involves women, children, vulnerable persons, or law enforcement positions. If you spend time in jail, it’s likely that your current employer will terminate your position, leaving you vulnerable to background checks when you seek a new position.

Impacts on Your Child Custody Arrangements

Spending time in jail has an immediate impact on child custody. If you share custody with your child’s other parent, the other parent will have full custody while you are in jail. Upon your release, you could face a modification of your previous child custody arrangement that could require supervised visitation.

If your child’s other parent seeks a modification of a Colorado child custody order, the court makes all decisions in the child’s best interest. A domestic violence conviction could reduce or restrict your access to your children.

The Impacts of a Domestic Violence Conviction on Your Daily Life

A conviction for domestic violence may require you to surrender your firearms and prohibit any gun purchases in the future. Depending on the nature of the domestic violence, this enhancement to a felony crime conviction could also result in the loss of your voting rights.

Facing a Domestic Violence Charge In Colorado

Fortunately, Colorado has robust laws in place guaranteeing your right to an assertive legal defense. If you’ve been charged with domestic violence, you need experienced legal representation and an immediate defense of your rights by a Colorado criminal defense attorney. Reach out to our firm today.